Snow removal vehicles with colored EL lighting

ABSTRACT

A safety sign and methods are shown with advantages such as being more visible in poor conditions such as snow, dust, fog, low light, etc. Safety signs as shown can be seen from farther away than conventional signs. Safety signs as shown eliminate problems associated with point source lighting.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to highway vehicles, particularly,snowplows with EL signs and methods for improving snowplow safety usingEL signs.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] This invention relates to a safety device for transportingoversized loads and to a method for transporting oversized loads.

[0003] There are many hazardous activities that can be made safer bywarning people using safety signs. Specific examples include, but arenot limited to, signs on snow plows to warn traffic as they approachfrom behind, slow moving vehicle signs such as are commonly attached tofarm vehicles, oversized load signs on the back of highwaytransportation vehicles, road construction signs, etc.

[0004] Necessarily, for a safety sign to be effective, it must be seenby the person to be warned. In certain road safety situations, as listedabove, an approaching vehicle's headlights can illuminate the safetysigns. However, headlights are not always adequate to provide thenecessary warning. Further, there are other applications of safety signsnot involving vehicles with headlights, where the person to be warnedrequires increased visibility of safety signs in poor visibilityconditions, from large distances, at night, etc.

[0005] Existing configurations of signs that are self lit, such as byincandescent bulbs, have a number of disadvantages. They require largeamounts of power to operate. They produce large amounts of unwantedheat. In an application involving snow, in particular, heat can bedetrimental by melting snow to water, which may cause electrical failureand/or icing problems. When existing configurations fail, they failcatastrophically. For example, if a rock from a road hits anincandescent bulb, the bulb breaks and fails completely. Also, when anincandescent bulb burns out, it goes from on to off without any warning,or in between condition.

[0006] Existing light configurations also suffer from negative effectsof point source lighting. Point sources, such as incandescent bulbs orlight emitting diodes (LEDs) provide an intense source of light from asingle point. Point sources can cause night blindness after a viewerlooks away from the point source light. Also, point source lights appearto flicker and move around when viewed. This is due to their singlesource beams being distorted by elements such as dust particles, snowflakes, or other elements of the atmosphere between the point source andthe viewer. Point source lights also have a limited viewable distance,or penetration through snow, fog, etc. due to similar scattering anddistortion of the single source beam.

[0007] What is needed is an improved safety sign with high visibility indifficult conditions such as in snow, fog, dust, at night, etc. What isalso needed is an improved safety sign without the disadvantages ofpoint source lighting.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 shows a cross section diagram of a safety sign according toan embodiment of the invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a safety sign according to anembodiment of the invention.

[0010]FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of a safety sign according to anembodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 4 shows a front view of a safety sign according to anembodiment of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a safety sign according to anembodiment of the invention.

[0013]FIG. 6 shows a front view of a safety sign according to anembodiment of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 7 shows a diagram of one embodiment of a method for plowing aroad.

[0015]FIG. 8 shows a diagram of one embodiment of a method fortransporting an oversized load.

[0016]FIG. 9 shows a print for an embodiment of a safety sign accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 10 shows specifications for an embodiment of a safety signaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of snow plows of the inventionthat includes the EL safety lighting.

[0019]FIG. 12 shows a rear perspective view of a wide truck of theinvention that includes the EL safety lighting.

[0020]FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a road construction vehicle ofthe invention that includes the EL safety lighting.

[0021]FIG. 14 shows a highway with two adjacent motor vehicles, eachcontaining EL lighting of the invention.

[0022]FIG. 15 shows a rear perspective view of a motor vehicle of theinvention with a long trailer, that includes the EL lighting.

[0023]FIG. 16A shows a top plan view of one mudflap embodiment of theinvention that includes EL lighting.

[0024]FIG. 16B shows a top plan view of another mudflap embodiment ofthe invention that includes EL lighting.

[0025]FIG. 17 shows a rear perspective view of one motor vehicleembodiment of the invention that includes EL safety lighting.

[0026]FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of another motor vehicleembodiment of the invention that includes EL safety lighting.

[0027]FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of another motor vehicleembodiment of the invention that includes safety lighting.

DISCLOSURE

[0028] In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown,by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention maybe practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantiallysimilar components throughout the several views. These embodiments aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized andstructural, logical, electrical changes, etc. may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 1 shows a safety sign 100 utilizing electro luminescent (EL)technology. A conducting base 110 is shown with a dielectric layer 120coupled to the conducting base 110. The base is for some embodimentsrigid and for other embodiments flexible. This feature enables the signto be positioned on rigid or flexible surfaces. A number of encapsulatedphosphor portions 130 are shown coupled to the dielectric layer 120. Inone embodiment, the number of encapsulated phosphor portions 130 aremicroencapsulated. A second conducting portion 140 is shown coupled overthe number of encapsulated phosphor portions 130. In one embodiment, thesecond conducting portion 140 includes a transparent conductor material.In one embodiment, an encapsulating layer 150 is included over thesecond conducting portion 140. In one embodiment, the encapsulatinglayer 150 is included to provide moisture or weather resistance. Apattern layer 160 is further shown coupled over the encapsulating layer150. In one embodiment, the pattern layer 160 defines a message orsymbol that indicates safety or caution.

[0030] One of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of thepresent specification will recognize that alternative designs of an ELlighting device are possible. FIG. 1 is intended to illustrate onepossible embodiment of an EL lighting configuration in a safety sign.One good example of EL lighting can be obtained from the DurelCorporation of Chandler, AZ.

[0031]FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a safety sign 200. The safety sign200 includes an EL lighting surface 210, and a power source 212 coupledto the EL lighting surface 210. In one embodiment, the power source 212includes an AC power source. In one embodiment, the power source 212includes a DC power source coupled to an AC converter. In oneembodiment, the power source is supplied by a power hook up on avehicle. A layer 220 is also included, with a pattern 222 located on thelayer 220. In FIG. 2, the layer 220 includes a transparent layer. Thepattern 222 in FIG. 2 is substantially opaque. Embodiments of patterns222 include, but are not limited to, text, numbers, symbols, shapes,etc. The safety sign 200 operates by transmitting light from the ELlighting surface 210 through portions of the layer 220 that are notobscured by the pattern 222. As used herein, the term “vehicle” refersto two-wheeled, three-wheeled and four-wheeled automobiles, as shown at1400 in FIG. 14, 1700 in FIG. 17, trucks as shown at 1200 in FIG. 12,1410 in FIG. 14, semi's, as shown at 1500 in FIG. 15, fire engines,trains, rail cars, snowplows as shown at 1100 in FIG. 11, bicycles,police cars, buses as shown at 1800 in FIG. 18, ambulances, RV's asshown at 1900 in FIG. 19, road construction vehicles as shown at 1300 inFIG. 13 and any other vehicle having safety needs.

[0032]FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a safety sign 300. The safety sign300 includes an EL lighting surface 310, and a power source 312 coupledto the EL lighting surface 210. Power source 312 includes, but is notlimited to embodiments of power sources described above. A layer 320 isalso included, with a pattern 322 located on the layer 320. In FIG. 3,the layer 320 includes a substantially opaque layer. The pattern 322 inFIG. 3 is substantially transparent. In one embodiment, the pattern 322is cut out from the layer 320. Pattern 322 includes, but is not limitedto embodiments of patterns described above. The safety sign 300 operatesby transmitting light from the EL lighting surface 310 through thesubstantially transparent pattern 322.

[0033]FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a safety sign 400. The safety sign400 includes an EL lighting surface 410, and a power source 412 coupledto the EL lighting surface 410. Power source 412 includes, but is notlimited to embodiments of power sources described above. In oneembodiment, the EL lighting surface 410 is shaped into a pattern. Thepattern includes, but is not limited to embodiments of patternsdescribed above. The. safety sign 400 operates by transmitting lightfrom the EL lighting surface 410 directly in a pattern that conveys amessage of safety. A text pattern may, for example, convey a warning,such as is shown at 1510 in FIG. 15. A triangle or other geometric shapemay indicate a slow moving vehicle, as is shown at 1110 in FIG. 11.

[0034]FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a safety sign 500. The safety sign500 includes an EL lighting surface 510, and a power source 512 coupledto the EL lighting surface 510. Power source 512 includes, but is notlimited to embodiments of power sources described above. A layer 520 isalso included, with a pattern 522 located on the layer 520. In FIG. 5,the layer 520 includes a transparent layer. The pattern 522 in FIG. 2 issubstantially opaque. Alternatively, the layer 520 in FIG. 5 may includea substantially opaque layer with a pattern 522 that is substantiallytransparent. A layer 530 is further included in the safety sign 500. Thelayer 530 includes properties that alter a color of the EL lightingsurface 510.

[0035] Selected embodiments of safety signs as described in thisdocument include colored EL material. Both an illuminated color and anon-illuminated color may be selected. Possible colors include yellow,white, blue-green, etc. A color can be chosen in the non-illuminatedcondition that is suited for daytime, while a different color can bechosen for the illuminated condition to optimize both day and night. Theaddition in safety sign 500 of a layer 530 further broadens coloroptions. In one embodiment, the layer 530 is tinted to alter the colorof the EL lighting surface. In one embodiment, an EL lighting surface isincluded that is white in a non-illuminated condition, and blue-green inan illuminated condition. In one embodiment, a yellow tinted layer 530is further included. This provides a yellow appearance in the day, witha light green appearance at night. In one embodiment, the light greencomplies with government regulations for color. In another embodiment,an EL lighting surface is included that is yellow in a non-illuminatedcondition, and yellow in an illuminated condition. In one embodiment, ayellow tinted layer 530 is further included. This provides a yellowappearance in the day, and a yellow appearance at night.

[0036] In one embodiment, the pattern 522 is cut out from the layer 520.Pattern 522 includes, but is not limited to embodiments of patternsdescribed above. The safety sign 500 operates by transmitting light fromthe EL lighting surface 510 through the layer 530 and throughsubstantially transparent portions of the layer 520.

[0037]FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a safety sign 600. The safety sign600 includes an EL lighting surface 610. In one embodiment the shape ofthe safety sign 600 is dictated by a government standard. In FIG. 6, theEL lighting surface 610 of the safety sign 600 is substantiallyrectangular in shape. In FIG. 6, a width 612 of the EL lighting surface610 is approximately 72 inches. In FIG. 6, a height 614 of the ELlighting surface 610 is approximately 8.5 inches. A pattern 616 isincluded on the safety sing 600 similar to embodiments described above.In one embodiment the pattern includes a text message that states “StayBack - Stay Alive.” In one embodiment the pattern includes a textmessage that states “Oversized Load, as shown at 1210 in FIG. 12.” Anynumber of safety messages are possible within the scope of theinvention. In addition to text, as described above, shapes or symbolsare also possible to convey a message of safety. For example, a trianglemay be used to indicate a slow moving vehicle, as shown at 1310 in FIG.13.

[0038]FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a method utilizing safety signs asdescribed in embodiments above. A road 710 is shown with a number oflanes 712. A number of vehicles 720 are shown on the road in aformation. In one embodiment, the vehicles 720 include snow plows. Otherembodiments of vehicles include, but are not limited to, road graders,dump trucks, various construction equipment, road transportationvehicles, flat bed trucks, and so forth. The vehicles 720 as shown inFIG. 7 are snow plows, each vehicle 720 including a plow 722. In oneembodiment, a safety sign 724 as described in embodiments above isaffixed to at least one vehicle 720. In one embodiment, the vehicles 720guide off each other in alignment using the safety signs 724. In oneembodiment, the safety signs 724 are affixed to the rear of the vehicles720. In one embodiment, the safety signs 724 are affixed to the front ofthe vehicles 720. One of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefitof the present specification will appreciate that several possibleformations of vehicles are possible within the scope of the invention.

[0039]FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a method utilizing safety signs asdescribed in embodiments above. A road 810 is shown with a number oflanes 812. A transportation vehicle 820 such as a flat bed truck isshown with a payload portion 822 and a cab portion 824. A load 830 isshown as an oversized load with a width 832 that affects more than onelane 812. A safety sign 840 according to embodiments described above isshown attached to a rear portion of the transportation vehicle 820. Inone embodiment, an additional safety sign 842 according to embodimentsdescribed above is shown attached to a front portion of thetransportation vehicle 820.

[0040] For some embodiments, vehicles include more than one safety signusing EL lighting. The signs are positionable on the front and rear andside portions of a vehicle, as shown in one example, at 1500 in FIG. 15.The vehicle 1500 includes a cab 1512 and a trailer 1514 capable ofcarrying hazardous cargo. The cab includes EL warning signals 1516. Thepower source is not shown, but as described above is a component of theEL lighting. The trailer 1514 includes the “DANGER” sign, and a “LONGLOAD” sign. The trailer 1514 also includes EL strips 1520 and 1522. Thevehicle 1500 also includes mudflaps 1524 and each include an EL lightingsafety sign 1526. The EL lighting for motor vehicle 1500 is for someembodiments, multicolored. For other embodiments the lighting is staticand blicking or all static or all blinking. While these lightingfeatures are described for motor vehicle 1500, it is understood that thefeatures are usable for all motor vehicle embodiments.

[0041] In one embodiment, safety signs and other indicia illuminated byEL lighting are positionable on mud flaps, such as is shown at 1524 and1526 in FIG. 15. Mud flaps, as used herein, are a component of avehicle. Two types of mud flap embodiments are shown at 1602A and 1602Band 1604A and 1604B in FIGS. 16A and 16B. The mudflaps 1602A and 1602Bare for left and right handed sides of a vehicle. Each of the pair ofmudflaps 1602A and 1602B and 1604A and 1604B includes an EL safety sign1610. The power source of the sign 1610 is attached to the sign asdescribed above.

[0042]FIG. 9 shows a print of a safety sign according to one embodimentof the invention. FIG. 10 shows operational specifications according toone embodiment of the invention.

[0043] A method of improving safety of snow plows and motor vehicles inhazardous visibility conditions, such as a snowstorm is shown in FIG.11.The snowplows 1100 include EL lighting 1102 on the cabs, 1104 on themudflaps and 1106 on the trailer. The snowplows also include EL lightingon the real of the trailer and, optionally, on mudflaps in the rear ofthe trailer, which are not shown.

[0044] In one other embodiment, EL safety signs are used to mark andilluminate structures such as bridges, and on and off ramps. The signsare positioned on structures such as guard rails, and, for someembodiments, the road itself.

[0045] Safety signs as described above all utilize EL technology. ELtechnology provides a number of advantages to safety signs as describedabove. The safety signs described using EL technology use lower powerthan conventional lighting technology. The safety signs described usingEL technology produce very low heat compared to conventional lightingtechnology. This can be especially advantageous in snow applications asdiscussed above in the background. The safety signs described using ELtechnology are more robust than conventional lighting technology, andnot prone to catastrophic failure. Due to numerous encapsulated phosphorportions, it is difficult to damage all encapsulated phosphor portionsduring an event such as a rock hitting a sign. Further, EL lighting doesnot burn out catastrophically as incandescent light bulbs do.

[0046] Further, because EL lighting generates light from encapsulatedportions along a large area (such as 72 inches by 8.5 inches) the lightprovided by the EL lighting is not a point source, but is an areasource. This reduces or eliminates night blinding, and flicker producedby point sources such as incandescent lights, and LEDs. Further, thearea source of EL lighting can be seen from farther away, and throughdifficult conditions such as snow, dust, fog, etc. This is due to ELlighting providing numerous sources (an area of sources) of light tocompensate for scattering and dispersement of light from any oneindividual source in the EL surface.

[0047] For the reasons above, safety signs as described above are morevisible in poor conditions such as snow, dust, fog, low light, etc.Safety signs as described above can be seen from farther away thanconventional signs. Safety signs as described above eliminate problemsassociated with point source lighting.

[0048] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose maybe substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application isintended to cover any adaptations or variations of the presentinvention. It is to be understood that the above description is intendedto be illustrative, and not restrictive. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill inthe art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the inventionincludes any other applications in which the above structures andfabrication methods are used. The scope of the invention should bedetermined with reference to the appended claims, along with the fullscope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

1. A snowplow, comprising: a cab; a trailer; a scraper; and EL lightingwherein the EL lighting is attached to the cab.
 2. The snowplow of claim1 wherein the EL lighting is attached to one or more doors on the cab.3. The snowplow of claim 1 wherein the EL lighting is attached to afront portion of the cab.
 4. The snowplow of claim 1 wherein the ELlighting is attached to an upper portion of the cab.
 5. The snowplow ofclaim 1, further comprising one or more mudflaps attached to one or moreof the cab and trailer.
 6. The snowplow of claim 5 wherein the ELlighting is on one or more mudflaps.
 7. The snowplow of claim 1 whereinthe EL lighting emits a blinking display.
 8. The snowplow of claim 1wherein the EL lighting includes indicia.
 9. The snowplow of claim 8wherein the indicia imparts a message conveying safety or caution. 10.The snowplow of claim 1 wherein the EL lighting includes more than onecolor.
 11. The snowplow of claim 10 wherein the EL lighting color isorange or yellow.
 12. A method for improving driver safety in asnowplow, comprising: obtaining a snowplow that includes safety indiciailluminated by one or more EL lighting surfaces; and driving thesnowplow under conditions that include darkness, storms, fog, and otherconditions of adverse visibility.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein thesafety indicia illuminated by one or more EL lighting surfaces includesa surface on a mud flap attached to the snowplow.
 14. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the safety indicia illuminated by one or more ELlighting surfaces includes a surface on a cab of the snowplow.
 15. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the safety indicia illuminated by one or moreEL lighting surfaces includes a surface on the rear of the snowplow. 16.The method of claim 1 wherein the safety indicia illuminated by one ormore EL lighting surfaces includes a surface on one or more rear viewmirrors of the snowplow.
 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the safetyindicia illuminated by one or more EL lighting surfaces includes asurface on the top of the snowplow.
 18. The method of claim 1 whereinthe snowplow is driven adjacent to another snowplow that also includesthe safety indicia illuminated by one or more EL lighting surfaces. 19.The method of claim 7 wherein the snowplows are driven in a snowstorm.20. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more of the EL lightingsurfaces blink.
 21. The method of claim 7 wherein one or more of the ELlighting surfaces of one or more of the snowplows blinks.
 22. A methodfor making a snowplow, comprising: obtaining a snowplow and attaching tothe snowplow one or more El lighting devices, the EL lighting deviceseffective for signaling a safety signal to other drivers on a highway.23. The method of claim 20 wherein the safety signal is a color.
 24. Themethod of claim 20, wherein the EL lighting device is attached to thefront of the snowplow.
 25. The method of claim 20, wherein the ELlighting device is attached to the rear of the snowplow.
 26. The methodof claim 20 wherein at least one EL lighting device is attached to atleast one mud guard attached to the snowplow.